Hideaway Island Resort in Vanuatu

SDVanuatu Hotels › Hideaway Island Resort Review
Updated: January 7, 2021
By Santorini Dave

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Review of Hideaway Island Resort in Vanuatu

Hideaway Island Resort – Stunning island retreat with beaches and coral.

This private islet, with a spectacular reef just offshore, is barely fifteen minutes from Port Vila. Rocky paths meander around palm, banyan, and acacia trees to the recently-renovated bungalows. All face the ocean, some with direct access to the water’s edge (although not all have a private beach). Others are on two levels, with a swimming pool and jacuzzi. Most are more basic, however (e.g. with a fan only), but still wonderful for families: easily sleeping five, with a spacious living/dining area and an extended wooden deck. Home to the world’s only underwater post office, the reef and marine life are within eyesight of the white sand beach, and the dive shop can organize all sorts of activities. Even if not staying, day passes are available for a reasonable cost.

Hideaway Island Resort – The Basics

  • Location: On its own island, about 5 minutes by boat from the mainland terminal at Mele Bay, and another 9 km from Port Vila. A total of 15 minutes from the airport.
  • Guests: Caters very well for all ages and budgets. Families especially welcome, and many older guests return year after year.
  • Beach: The best beach is near the jetty and bar, but there’s more tiny coral rocks than sand. The calm waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, with a world-class reef just offshore.
  • Views: All bungalows offer ocean views, while even the very basic beach lodges face the sea with distant views.
  • Wi-Fi: Free for all guests in the lobby/bar/restaurant areas. Also, available free for guests in the more expensive bungalows; not so in the other rooms.
  • Parking: Arrange with management about parking at the boat terminal at Mele Bay.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 22963
  • Email: info@hideaway.com.vu
  • Website: hideaway.com.vu

Hideaway Island Resort – Amenities

  • Pool: The pool is smallish and could become crowded, but most guests are on the beach.
  • Spa & Fitness Center: Not expected or provided at this sort of small-scale resort.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: A couple of bungalows have private pools (large enough for swimming, not just plunging) and jacuzzis.
  • Activities: Scuba diving from the dive center. Free use of snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboard equipment. Also at no charge: glass-bottom boat trips, village walks on the mainland, and beach movie nights.
  • For families: Babysitting available.

Hideaway Island Resort – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant & Bar: On The Beach Bar & Restaurant is casual but stylish, with stunning views. For pizzas, super-fresh seafood, children’s meals, and themed nights. Popular for coconut curries and happy hours. A lovely bar with a wooden counter.
  • Breakfast: An excellent continental buffet breakfast is included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurants hours – 7 am to 9 pm.

Hideaway Island Resort – Rooms

  • Room Types: 1 Bedroom Villa (some with a private pool) • 1 Bedroom Oceanside Bungalow • Twin Share Room (with fan and shared bathroom) • Quad Share Room (dormitories)
  • Smoking Rooms: Smoking is only allowed in the garden and beach areas.
  • Best Room: The 1 Bedroom Villas with a large pool are exceptional. With private access to the sea, they also feature daybeds, corner jacuzzis, and separate upstairs balconies adjoining the bedrooms.
  • For families: Some bungalows have connecting doors and can cater for up to 5.

Hideaway Island Resort – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • At the boat terminal on the mainland at Mele Bay is The Beach Bar. Spacious and tropical, it features a lovely stretch of sand, gorgeous views back of the island, and activities for the kids. Also popular for affordable pub meals and pizzas, live music, traditional entertainment, and movie nights.
  • Otherwise, charter a minibus from the terminal, or catch a public one along the main road nearby to Tanna Coffee Central, 2 km further up the road away from Port Vila. Turn up for a free tour of the coffee factory and enjoy a light meal (and cuppa) at the attached café.

Nearby Market or Grocery

    The shop on the island only sells basic supplies, so come prepared.

Local Transport

    There are no vehicles on the island. The departure point at Mele Bay for boats to the island is 9 km from Port Villa and easily accessible by public minibus or taxi. A free boat travels (5 minutes) between the mainland terminal and island as required, 24 hours a day.

Hideaway Island Resort – The Hotel

The resort is located on a private island.

The Hideaway is on a private island, less than 20 minutes from the capital and airport.

The resort has free access from a boat terminal on Mele Bay.

The resort provides free access from a boat terminal on Mele Bay, which is easy to reach from Port Vila by public minibus.

The rustic jetty give a tropical getaway vibe.

The rustic jetty on the island epitomizes the tropical getaway vibe.

Access to the island is a little rudimentary temporarily.

With the jetty at the mainland destroyed during a cyclone, access to/from the boat is a little rudimentary.

The lush green gardens and meandering paths are very endearing.

The gardens are pristine, with meandering paths leading to the bungalows.

The beach near the reception is the best.

The finest beach is near the bar and reception, but it is covered more with tiny coral rocks.

Some bungalows offer direct access to the almost private beach.

Some of the nicer bungalows have direct access to a beach which is virtually private.

The onsite restaurant and bar is called On The Beach.

The resort restaurant and bar are aptly named On The Beach.

The restaurant features tables on the sand.

Tables in the restaurant are on the sand or up a few steps with more cover inside.

The resort's bar serves affordable drinks.

The bar offers cold drinks, coffee, juices, and cocktails at pleasing prices.

The dive center helps arrange various activities.

The dive center on the island also offers other activities such as boat trips and tours of a local village on the mainland.

Families can enjoy activities like beach volleyball.

Beach volleyball is one of many fun activities for the whole family.

The pool is smallish but usually empty.

The pool is reasonably small, but some guests are in bungalows with a private pool, while others laze about the beach.

Some bungalows are still rustic and have not been renovated yet.

Some of the bungalows are more rustic, but still lovely and face the ocean.

The bungalows are spacious and family-friendly.

Some of the bungalows can easily accommodate a family of five.

Bungalows are appealing with lots of space, light and traditional decor.

Bungalows are spacious, with plenty of light and traditional arts and crafts.

Some villas have been recently renovated and are beautifully furnished.

The nicer villas have been recently renovated, offering a lovely décor and stylish furniture.

Spa baths is villas have terrific views.

Even the jacuzzis in some of the villas have delightful views.

2-level bungalows feature pretty but cramped main bedrooms.

The main bedroom upstairs in the two-level bungalows is pretty, although a little compact.

Second floor bungalow balconies provide great views.

The balconies attached to the main bedrooms in the two-level bungalows provide superb views.

Balconies and verandas offer great views.

Views from the balconies/verandas in the villas are always splendid.

Private pools in bungalows are quite big.

Some of the bungalows feature private pools, which are large enough for swimming, not just plunging.

Tropical ambience at The Beach Bar on the mainland.

The only place to eat or drink nearby is The Beach Bar at the boat terminal on the mainland, which continues the agreeable tropical ambience.

The mainland boat terminal features a few souvenir stalls.

At the terminal on the mainland, and just across the sand from The Beach Bar, a few stalls sell souvenirs.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.